Tobacco product, and filter for tobacco product

ABSTRACT

This filter for a tobacco product has: a fine-powder-containing article in which there is clumped a raw powder including a taste component and/or an aroma component, the fine-powder-containing article being formed into a powder by the application of force; a cavity in which the fine-powder-containing article is disposed; and a suction port filter part installed downstream of the cavity, the suction port filter part enabling communication between the cavity and an end of a suction port and having formed along the axial direction thereof a fine powder supply path for supplying fine powder from the cavity to the end of the suction port. The fine powder supply path includes a central connection part positioned at the center of a cross-section of the suction port filter part, and a plurality of hole parts extending in mutually different directions from the central connection part toward the outer periphery of the cross-section.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of InternationalApplication PCT/JP2017/046187 filed on Dec. 22, 2017 and designated theU.S., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a smoking article and a filter for asmoking article.

BACKGROUND ART

There is known a cigarette that allows powder in a filter to be inhaledto enjoy a taste, a scent, or both. For example, Patent document 1discloses a smoking article with a filter including: a powder contentthat is a lump of base powder containing at least either one of a tastecomponent or a flavoring component, the powder content being turned intopowder by applying an external force thereto; a cavity where the powdercontent is accommodated; and a flow path through which the cavity is incommunication with a mouthpiece end, the flow path letting the powderthrough.

CITATION LIST Patent Document

[Patent document 1] International Publication No. WO 2016/181843

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Regarding the filter described in Patent document 1, an inner diameterof the flow path for the powder is reduced to be smaller than an outerdiameter of the lump of powder content, thereby making it possible toreduce powder spillage, that is, spilling of the powder at an unintendedtiming such as during production or transportation.

Here, an increase in a cross-sectional area of the flow path for thepowder in the filter is more favorable in tams of an increase in adelivery amount (supply amount) of the powder. Accordingly, Patentdocument 1 discloses an embodiment where a plurality of flow pathspenetrate through a mouthpiece-side filter in the axial direction. It istrue that the plurality of flow paths provided in the filter increase atotal cross-sectional area of the flow path for the powder, making iteasy to ensure the delivery amount of the powder. However, toindependently arrange the plurality of flow paths in a cross section ofthe filter, it is necessary to produce the filter using a plurality ofmandrels. Since it is difficult to evenly fill spaces between themandrels with a filter fiber, a production quality of the filter islikely to be unstable.

It should be noted that the above problems are not limited to acigarette but may apply to any types of smoking articles including acigar, a cigarillo, a smoking tool using electronic device heating,carbon heat source, or the like, and a non-heated smoking tool fortobacco. In view of the above problems, an object of the presentinvention, which relates to a filter for a smoking article that allowspowder containing at least either one of a test component or a flavoringcomponent to be inhaled, is to provide a technology that enablesensuring a delivery amount of the powder during inhale while reducingpowder spillage not during inhale, and stabilizing a production qualityof the filter.

Solution to Problem

To solve the above problems, according to the present invention, basepowder containing at least either one of a taste component or aflavoring component is foiled in a lump of powder content that is turnedinto powder by application of an external force, and a powder supplypath provided in a mouthpiece filter unit has a central connectionportion located at a central side of a cross section of the mouthpiecefilter unit and a plurality of holes that extend in mutually differentdirections from the central connection portion toward an outerperipheral side of the cross section.

More specifically, a smoking article according to the present inventionincludes: a tobacco rod including tobacco shreds; and a filter coupledto an end portion of the tobacco rod via a tipping paper, in which thefilter includes: a powder content that includes a lump of base powdercontaining at least either one of a taste component or a flavoringcomponent and is turned into powder by application of an external force;a cavity where the powder content is accommodated; and a mouthpiecefilter unit that is located continuously at a downstream side of thecavity, and is provided with a powder supply path formed along an axialdirection for allowing a mouthpiece end to communicate with the cavityand supplying the powder from the cavity to the mouthpiece end, and in across section of the mouthpiece filter unit, the powder supply path hasa central connection portion located at a central side of the crosssection of the mouthpiece filter unit and a plurality of holes thatextend in mutually different directions from the central connectionportion toward an outer peripheral side of the cross section.

Examples of the smoking article include a cigarette, a cigar, acigarillo, a smoking tool that allows for inhaling a smoke flavor, anaroma, or both of tobacco using electronic device heating, carbon heatsource, or the like, and a non-heated smoking tool that allows forinhaling a smoke flavor, an aroma, or both of tobacco.

Further, each of the holes of the powder supply path may have arelatively large opening width at an outer peripheral region located atthe outer peripheral side of the cross section of the mouthpiece filterunit as compared with at a central region located at the central side ofthe cross section.

Further, the powder supply path may have the holes that are at leastthree and not more than five in number.

Further, the plurality of holes of the powder supply path may radiallyextend from the central connection portion.

Further, in the cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit, a filterfiber that provides the mouthpiece filter unit may be interposed betweena distal end of each of the holes of the powder supply path and awrapping paper of the mouthpiece filter unit.

Here, the present invention may be identified as a filter for the abovesmoking article. Specifically, a filter for a smoking article accordingto the present invention includes: a powder content that includes a lumpof base powder including at least either one of a taste component or aflavoring component and is turned into powder by application of anexternal force; a cavity where the powder content is accommodated; and amouthpiece filter unit that is located continuously at a downstream sideof the cavity, and is provided with a powder supply path formed along anaxial direction for allowing a mouthpiece end to communicate with thecavity and supplying the powder from the cavity to the mouthpiece end,and in a cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit, the powder supplypath has a central connection portion located at a central side of thecross section of the mouthpiece filter unit and a plurality of holesthat extend in mutually different directions from the central connectionportion toward an outer peripheral side of the cross section.

It should be noted that the means for solving the problems according tothe present invention may be employed in combination as much aspossible.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, regarding a filter for a smokingarticle that allows a smoker to inhale powder containing at least eitherone of a taste component or a flavoring component at a desired timing,it is possible to ensure a delivery amount of the powder during inhalewhile reducing powder spillage not during inhale and to stabilize aproduction quality of the filter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior perspective view of a cigarette accordingto Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant portionof the cigarette according to Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a cross-sectional shape of a powder supplypath in a cross section of a mouthpiece filter unit according toEmbodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a view indicating results of an evaluation test of powderdelivery amounts and powder spillage amounts according to Examples andComparative Examples.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating shapes of powder supply paths according toExamples and Comparative Examples.

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a smoking machine used for measuring thepowder delivery amounts of Examples and Comparative Examples.

FIG. 7 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant portionof a cigarette according to Embodiment 2.

FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a relevant portionof a cigarette according to Embodiment 3.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Detailed description will be made below on an embodiment of afilter-equipped cigarette, that is, an example of a smoking articleaccording to the present invention, with reference to the drawings.Regarding dimensions, materials, shapes, relative locations, etc. ofcomponents described in the present embodiment, the technical scope ofthe invention is by no means limited only thereto unless otherwisespecified.

Embodiment 1

FIG. 1 is an exterior perspective view of a cigarette 1 according toEmbodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a relevantportion of the cigarette 1 according to Embodiment 1. The cigarette 1 isa filter-equipped cigarette including a tobacco rod 2 and a filter 4coupled to an end of the tobacco rod 2 via a tipping paper 3.

The tobacco rod 2 includes tobacco shreds 21 wrapped with a cigarettepaper 22, being formed in a columnar shape (stick shape). The filter 4is a member for filtering, when letting a mainstream smoke caused bysmoking the cigarette 1 through, a smoke component from the mainstreamsmoke, and is famed in a columnar shape with substantially the samediameter as that of the tobacco rod 2.

The filter 4 is wrapped with a wrapping paper 45 and the tipping paper 3and coupled to a rear end side of the tobacco rod 2 via the tippingpaper 3. The tipping paper 3 wraps an end portion of the tobacco rod 2and the filter 4 into one piece, thereby coupling (uniting) them. Theend portion to be coupled to the filter 4 in a longitudinal direction(axial direction) of the tobacco rod 2 is hereinafter referred to as a“rear end” and an end portion opposite thereto as a “front end” (distalend). Further, an end portion to be coupled to the tobacco rod 2 in alongitudinal direction (axial direction) of the filter 4 is referred toas a “front end” and an end portion opposite to the front end as a“mouthpiece end.” Further, a cross section along a longitudinaldirection (axial direction) of the cigarette 1 (tobacco rod 2, filter 4)is defined as a “longitudinal section” and a cross section along adirection orthogonal thereto as a “cross section.” Further, “upstream”and “downstream” refer to relative positional relationships based on astream of the mainstream smoke. It should be noted that a referencesymbol CL in FIG. 2 denotes a center axis of the cigarette 1 (tobaccorod 2, filter 4).

The filter 4 includes an upstream filter unit 41 coupled to the rear endside of the tobacco rod 2, a mouthpiece filter unit 42 located at amouthpiece end side, a hollow cavity 43 defined between the upstreamfilter unit 41 and the mouthpiece filter unit 42, and a powder content44 accommodated in the cavity 43. The powder content 44, which is a lumpof base powder containing at least either one of a taste component or aflavoring component, is turned into powder when crushed by a smoker.

The upstream filter unit 41 and the mouthpiece filter unit 42 eachinclude a filter fiber such as acetate famed in a columnar shape, forexample. The upstream filter unit 41 and the mouthpiece filter unit 42are wrapped into one piece with the wrapping paper 45. The wrappingpaper 45 used for the filter 4 may be a breathable (air-permeable)wrapping paper usable for typical products or a non-breathable wrappingpaper. A paper produced from a plant fiber is typically used as amaterial of the wrapping paper 45 but a sheet of a chemical fiber of apolymer (polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon, etc.) or a polymer sheetmay be used or a metal foil such as aluminum foil may be used. It shouldbe noted that a so-called non-wrap filter may be used as the filter 4.The non-wrap filter includes a filter material and an outer shell layerwith which the filter material is famed in a cylindrical shape, and theouter shell layer can be obtained by thermoforming the filter material.In a case of using the non-wrap filter, a wrapping paper may be omitted.

A powder supply path 421 is provided in the mouthpiece filter unit 42located at the mouthpiece end side, penetrating through the mouthpiecefilter unit 42 in the axial direction, and the cavity 43 and themouthpiece end are in communication with each other through the powdersupply path 421. Further, the filter 4 is wrapped with the tipping paper3, thereby being united with the tobacco rod 2 into one piece.

A paper produced from a plant fiber is typically used as the tippingpaper 3A but a sheet of a chemical fiber of a polymer (polypropylene,polyethylene, nylon, etc.) or a polymer sheet may be used or a metalfoil such as aluminum foil may be used. It should be noted that thefilter 4 may contain a flavoring agent such as menthol. A method ofadding the flavoring agent is not limited to a particular one; a knownmethod is providing a string-shaped substance with the flavoring agentadsorbed thereto in the filter 4, containing the flavoring agent in afilling in the filter 4, or providing a material prepared by solidifyingthe flavoring agent, such as a capsule, in the filter 4, for example.

A plurality of vents (hereinafter referred to as “cavity region vent”)31, through which air (outside air) for ventilation is introduced intothe filter 4 to dilute the mainstream smoke, are annularly formed in thetipping paper 3 at a position corresponding to the cavity 43. In thiscase, an appropriate wrapping paper with a high breathability (highair-permeability) is used as the wrapping paper 45, thereby allowing theair introduced from the outside through the cavity region vent 31 of thetipping paper 3 to pass therethrough, entering the cavity 43. This isbeneficial in increasing a strength of the wrapping paper 45 and makingit less bendable. However, a wrapping paper that is not breathable orless breathable may be used as the wrapping paper 45. In this case, thewrapping paper 45 desirably has a vent that is open at a positioncorresponding to the cavity region vent 31. It should be noted that apre-holed tipping paper, that is, the tipping paper 3 with the cavityregion vent 31 formed in advance, is preferably used in the presentembodiment. This makes it unlikely to cause damage to the powder content44 accommodated in the cavity 43 as compared with a case where thecavity region vent 31 is formed using, for example, an on-machine laser.Further, by adjusting an opening area of the cavity region vent 31 (in acase of providing a plurality of cavity region vents 31, a total openingarea), it is possible to adjust a Vf value (a ratio of an inflow rate ofair from the filter to a total airflow rate). A tar value of thecigarette is designed in accordance with the Vf value, thereby allowingthe powder famed by crushing the powder content 44 to be delivered asmuch as possible.

The cavity 43 is a space defined inside the filter 4, in particular, acolumnar space surrounded by a surface of a rear end of the upstreamfilter unit 41, a surface of a front end of the mouthpiece filter unit42, and the wrapping paper 45. The cavity 43 only has to have a sizesufficient to accommodate the powder content 44. In a case ofaccommodating a plurality of powder contents 44, the cavity 43 needs tohave a size sufficient to accommodate the plurality of powder contents44. Further, a shape of the cavity 43 is not limited to a particularone.

The powder content 44 is a spherical lump of the base powder and turnedinto powder when an external force is applied thereto. The externalforce is, for example, a force stronger than a force to be appliedduring production or transportation or a force stronger than an inhaleforce during smoking. The external force is exemplified by a force(crushing force) applied by a smoker with his or her fingers. Forexample, a breaking strength for powdering the powder content 44 is in arange from 5N to 60N. The breaking strength for powdering the powdercontent 44 is preferably in a range from 20N to 30N, and more preferablyin a range from 20N to 25N. Further, a shape of the powder content 44 isnot limited to a particular one and may be an ellipsoid, a column, ahollow cylinder, a circular cone, a polygonal pyramid, a torus, apolyhedron such as a cube or a rectangular parallelepiped, or acombination thereof. Further, the base powder that constitutes thepowder content 44 at least partly has a particle size allowing forpassing through the powder supply path 421. For example, the particlesize of the base powder may be set in a range from 10 μm to 300 μm.

The powder content 44 may be produced by mixing a nucleating agent, thatis, the base powder, with an adequate amount of water added thereto andthen forming and drying it. Further, a binder may be added as a materialof the powder content 44. Further, a flavoring agent may be added to thenucleating agent along with water. As the nucleating agent,monosaccharide, disaccharide, polysaccharide, or derivatives thereof isusable. Examples include ketotriose (dihydroxyacetone), aldotriose(glyceraldehyde), ketotetrose (erythrulose), aldotetrose (erythrose,threose), pentose ketopentose (ribulose, xylulose), aldopentose (ribose,arabinose, xylose, lyxose), deoxysugar (deoxyribose), ketohexose(psicose, fructose, sorbose, tagatose), aldohexose (allose, altrose,glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, talose), deoxysugar (fucose,fuculose, rhamnose), sedoheptulose, sucrose, lactose, maltose,trehalose, turanose, cellobiose, raffinose, melezitose, maltotriose,acarbose, stachyose, glucose, starch (amylose, amylopectin), cellulose,dextrin, glucan, and fructose. These monosaccharide, disaccharide,polysaccharide, or derivatives thereof may be used solely or mixed inuse. The nucleating agent is preferably substantially soluble in amouth.

Further, as the binder, water soluble polymers such as dextrin, gelatin,gum arabic, polyvinyl alcohol, and carboxymethyl cellulose are usable.An addition amount of the binder is preferably 10 wt % or less withrespect to the nucleating agent.

The flavoring agent being added to the nucleating agent is not limitedto a particular one and an existing flavoring agent may be used;however, a powder flavoring agent and an oil flavoring agent areparticularly suitable. Typical examples of the powder flavoring agentinclude chamomile, fenugreek, menthol, mint, cinnamon, and herb that arein powder form. Further, typical examples of the oil flavoring agentinclude lavender, cinnamon, cardamom, celery, clove, cascarilla, nutmeg,sandalwood, bergamot, geranium, honey essence, rose oil, vanilla, lemon,orange, mint, cinnamon, caraway, cognac, jasmine, chamomile, menthol,cassia, ylang-ylang, sage, spearmint, fennel, pimento, ginger, anise,coriander, and coffee. These powder flavoring agents and oil flavoringagents may be used solely or mixed in use. In a case of using the powderflavoring agent, a grain size thereof is preferably 500 μm or less. Theflavoring agent is preferably substantially soluble in liquid or amouth. Further, an addition amount of the flavoring component ispreferably 10 wt % or less with respect to the nucleating agent.

Examples of the taste component include citric acid, tartaric acid,glutamic acid Na, neotame, thaumatin, stevia, sorbitol, xylitol,erythritol, aspartame, rutin, hesperidin, oxalic acid, tannic acid,catechin, naringin, quinine, quinic acid, limonin, caffeine, capsaicin,vitamins, amino acids, polyphenols, alginic acid, flavonoid, andlecithin. The taste component is preferably substantially soluble inliquid or a mouth. An addition amount of the taste component ispreferably 10 wt % or less with respect to the nucleating agent. Itshould be noted that the powder content 44 may be in a form of a plasticcapsule containing powder, a tablet compact, or granules.

Here, FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a cross-sectional shape of thepowder supply path 421 in a cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit42 according to Embodiment 1. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the crosssection of the powder supply path 421 according to the presentembodiment is in a form of an opening having a shape of a singlewindmill as a whole. More specifically, in the cross section of themouthpiece filter unit 42, the powder supply path 421 has a centralconnection portion 4210 located at a central side of the cross sectionof the mouthpiece filter unit 42 and a plurality of holes 4211 thatextend from the central connection portion 4210 toward an outerperipheral side of the cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit 42.Here, an opening area of each of the holes 4211 is relatively large ascompared with an opening area of the central connection portion 4210.

The plurality of holes 4211 of the powder supply path 421, each of whichis in a blade shape, radially extend in mutually different directionsfrom the central connection portion 4210. Further, distal ends (endportions at a side opposite to the central connection portion 4210) ofthe holes 4211 are located at positions spaced from the wrapping paper45 of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 with the filter fiber, whichconstitutes the mouthpiece filter unit 42, interposed between the distalends of the holes 4211 and the wrapping paper 45. Further, in an exampleillustrated in FIG. 3, the powder supply path 421 has three holes 4211that radially extend from the central connection portion 4210 toward theouter peripheral side. Further, an opening width of each of the holes4211 of the powder supply path 421 is gradually widened from a side ofthe base end (an end portion connected with the central connectionportion 4210) toward a side of the distal end. For this reason, each ofthe holes 4211 of the powder supply path 421 has a relatively wide(large) opening width at an outer peripheral region 4211 a located atthe outer peripheral side of the cross section of the mouthpiece filterunit 42 as compared with at a central region 4211 b located at thecentral side of the cross section.

Effects

In the cigarette 1 according to the present embodiment, the powdersupply path 421 of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 has the cross sectionthat does not allows the powder content 44 in lump form to passtherethrough. For this reason, since the powder content 44 in lump formaccommodated in the cavity 43 does not pass through the powder supplypath 421, it is possible to reduce discharge of the powder content 44 inlump form out of the filter 4 through the powder supply path 421.Meanwhile, when a smoker crushes the powder content 44 in lump form by,for example, applying an external force, turning the powder content 44into powder form, the powder of the powder content 44 is allowed to passthrough the powder supply path 421. As a result, the smoker is allowedto easily inhale the powder at a desired timing, enjoying a taste fromthe taste component, a scent from the flavoring component, or both.

Moreover, the powder supply path 421 according to the present embodimenthas the plurality of holes 4211 that extend in mutually differentdirections from the central connection portion 4210, which is located atthe central side of the cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit 42,toward the outer peripheral side. Here, although an increase in across-sectional area of the powder supply path 421 is favorable in tamsof an increase in a delivery amount (supply amount) of the powder duringinhale by the smoker, simply increasing the cross-sectional area of thepowder supply path 421 leads to frequent occurrence of unintendedspilling of the powder (powder spillage) not during inhale by thesmoker. Examples of the above unintended powder spillage include a casewhere the powder spills outside through the powder supply path 421 as amouthpiece side of the filter 4 is turned downward while the smoker doesnot put the filter 4 in his or her mouth.

Accordingly, regarding the powder supply path 421 according to thepresent embodiment, the plurality of holes 4211 extend in mutuallydifferent directions from the central connection portion 4210, which islocated at the central side of the cross section of the mouthpiecefilter unit 42, toward the outer peripheral side, thus allowing openingregions not to be concentrated at one spot in the cross section of themouthpiece filter unit 42 but to be distributed at the outer peripheralside. This makes it possible to ensure, after the powder content 44 inlump form is crushed into powder form, a total opening area enough toensure a sufficient delivery amount (supply amount) of the powder duringinhale while reducing unintended powder spillage not during inhale. Inparticular, the powder supply path 421 according to the presentembodiment has the plurality of holes 4211 that radially extend from thecentral connection portion 4210 toward the outer peripheral side, sothat the opening regions can be more favorably distributed in the crosssection of the mouthpiece filter unit 42, making it much easier toensure the delivery amount of the powder during inhale while favorablyreducing unintended powder spillage after the powder content 44 iscrushed.

Here, when the smoker puts the filter 4 of the cigarette 1 in his or hermouth for inhale, the powder of the crushed powder content 44 in thecavity 43 is accumulated at the outer peripheral side of the cavity 43(wrapping paper 45). Thus, distributing the opening regions of thepowder supply path 421 more at the outer peripheral side of themouthpiece filter unit 42 is favorable in teams of an increase in thedelivery amount of the powder during inhale. Accordingly, since thecentral connection portion 4210 is relatively small and the holes 4211each have a larger opening area than the central connection portion4210, the powder supply path 421 according to the present embodimentallows for increasing the delivery amount of the powder during inhale.Moreover, since each of the holes 4211 of the powder supply path 421 hasa relatively wide opening width at the outer peripheral region 4211 a ascompared with at the central region 4211 b, a large opening area iseasily ensured at the outer peripheral side of the cross section of themouthpiece filter unit 42. As a result, it is possible to furtherincrease the delivery amount of the powder during inhale.

Next, description will be made on the number of the holes 4211 of thepowder supply path 421. Here, in a case where the number of the holes4211 is three or more, it is possible to reduce variation in thedelivery amount of the powder during inhale due to a posture of a smokerwho holds the filter 4. That is, the three or more holes 4211 extendingfrom the central connection portion 4210 makes it possible to stablydeliver the powder during inhale irrespective of any posture taken whenthe filter 4 is held. Further, the holes 4211 of the powder supply path421 according to the present embodiment are located every constant angle(120°) in a circumferential direction of the mouthpiece filter unit 42.In other words, the holes 4211 radially extend from the centralconnection portion 4210 at regular intervals in the circumferentialdirection of the mouthpiece filter unit 42. This makes it possible tostably deliver the powder during inhale irrespective of the posture of asmoker who holds the filter 4.

It should be noted that an upper limit of the number of the holes 4211of the powder supply path 421 is not limited to a particular one.However, in a case where the number of the holes 4211 is six or more,majority of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 becomes the opening region,making it likely to reduce an effect in reducing powder spillage notduring inhale. Accordingly, in tams of ensuring the delivery amount ofthe powder during inhale while reducing unintended powder spillage notduring inhale, the number of the holes 4211 that extend from the centralconnection portion 4210 is preferably in a range from three to five.

Further, the distal ends of the holes 4211 of the powder supply path 421are spaced from the wrapping paper 45 of the mouthpiece filter unit 42with the filter fiber interposed between each of the distal ends of theholes 4211 and the wrapping paper 45. Since the holes 4211 are famed ina manner not to extend until the distal ends of the holes 4211 reach thewrapping paper 45 as described above, an edge portion (outermostperipheral portion) of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 does not become anopening and, thus, it is possible to further reduce unintended powderspillage not during inhale.

Further, regarding the powder supply path 421 according to the presentembodiment, the base ends of the plurality of holes 4211 are connectedto each other via the central connection portion 4210, becoming acontinuous opening. For this reason, in producing the mouthpiece filterunit 42, it is possible to produce the mouthpiece filter unit 42 using asingle mandrel and evenly fill a region other than the powder supplypath 421 in the cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 with thefilter fiber. That is, it is possible to stabilize a production qualityof the mouthpiece filter unit 42.

It should be noted that a circumferential length of the filter 4according to the present embodiment is preferably in a range from 16 mmto 25 mm, more preferably in a range from 22 to 25 mm. Further, althoughthe powder supply path 421 with a shorter length makes it easier toinhale the powder, the mouthpiece filter unit 42 with an extremelyreduced length is likely to be united with the upstream filter unit 41into one piece with the wrapping paper 45 with less accuracy.Accordingly, the length of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 is preferablyin a range from 5 mm to 15 mm, more preferably in a range from 7 to 10mm. Further, a length of the upstream filter unit 41, which is given bysubtracting a length of the cavity 43 and a length of the powder supplypath 421 from a total length (27 to 30 mm), is preferably in a rangefrom 6 mm to 17 mm, more preferably in a range from 11 to 17 mm.

Further, a diameter of the powder content in lump form accommodated inthe cavity 43 is not particularly limited as long as it is smaller thanthe diameter and length of the cavity 43; however, a larger ratio of avolume of the powder content 44 in lump form to a volume of the cavity43 allows the powder to be accumulated higher when the powder content 44in lump form is crushed, making the delivery easier during inhale.Accordingly, in a case where the length of the cavity 43 is 6 mm, anexample is an embodiment where the diameter of the powder content 44 inlump form is at least 4 mm and less than 6 mm.

Here, examples of combination of the lengths of the portions of thefilter 4 are given. In a case where the total length of the filter 4 is27 mm, the upstream filter unit 41 may be 14 mm, the cavity 43 may be 6mm, and the mouthpiece filter unit 42 may be 7 mm. Likewise, in a casewhere the total length of the filter 4 is 27 mm, the upstream filterunit 41 may be 11 mm, the cavity 43 may be 6 mm, and the mouthpiecefilter unit 42 may be 10 mm. Further, in a case where the total lengthof the filter 4 is 30 mm, the upstream filter unit 41 may be 17 mm, thecavity 43 may be 6 mm, and the mouthpiece filter unit 42 may be 7 mm.Further, in a case where the total length of the filter 4 is 30 mm, theupstream filter unit 41 may be 14 mm, the cavity 43 may be 6 mm, and themouthpiece filter unit 42 may be 10 mm.

Further, specifications that cause less bend or crease when a smokercrushes the powder content 44 in lump form by applying an external forcethereto are preferably selected for the wrapping paper 45 of the filter4. For example, a basis weight of the wrapping paper 45 is preferably ina range from 50 to 200 g/m² and more preferably determined in a rangefrom 50 to 110 g/m². Further, the air-permeability (breathability) ofthe wrapping paper 45 is preferably 1000 to 10000 [C.U]. Further, in acase of using a pre-holed tipping paper, that is, the tipping paper 3with the cavity region vent 31 famed in advance, the air permeability ofthe wrapping paper 45 is preferably 200 to 3000 [C.U].

EXAMPLES

Next, the present invention will be further specifically described withreference to Examples but the present invention is by no means limitedto the description of Examples below insofar as being within the spiritthereof. The above cigarette 1 was produced and an evaluation test wasperformed to measure a powder delivery amount during inhale and a powderspillage amount not during inhale. Regarding the filter 4 of thecigarette 1 used for the evaluation test, the length of the upstreamfilter unit 41 was 14 mm, the length of the cavity 43 was 7 mm, and thelength of the mouthpiece filter unit 42 was 6 mm. Further, the basepowder of the powder content 44 was accommodated in the cavity 43 on theassumption of a crushed state of the powder content 44. As the basepowder of the powder content 44, 50 mg lactose (Phaimatose 100M,manufactured by DEE, pharma) was used.

FIG. 4 indicates results of the evaluation test of the powder deliveryamount and the powder spillage amount according to Examples andComparative Examples. Targets for the evaluation test were Examples 1 to5 and Comparative Examples 1 and 2. FIG. 5 illustrates shapes of thepowder supply path according to Examples and Comparative Examples.Comparative Example 1 is a center hole filter including a mouthpiecefilter unit with a single powder supply path. Comparative Example 2includes a mouthpiece filter unit with three powder supply paths thatpenetrate in an axial direction.

A smoking machine illustrated in FIG. 6 was used to measure the powderdelivery amount. In Examples, an inhale experiment was performed in anunlit state using a single-holder smoking machine manufactured byBorgwaldt KC GmbH and the powder delivery amount was measured. Inperforming the inhale experiment, an inhale flow rate was 35 mL/2 sec,the number of inhale actions was five, and the number of cigarettes formeasurement was three. Further, a powder collecting pad (Cambridge pad)was removed every inhale and measured in weight with an electronicbalance and the powder delivery amount was calculated from a differencein weight between before and after inhale. Further, the powder spillageamount was measured using a powder content produced by adding 80 wt %lactose to water and forming it in a sphere with a weight of 50 mg and adiameter of 4.5 mm and then drying it stepwise at 25° C. for fiveminutes, at 70° C. for four minutes, and at 200° C. for four minutes. Ina measurement test of the powder spillage amount, the powder content 44in lump form was vibrated for five times after crushed with a filterside in a cigarette form turned downward and the powder spillage amountwas measured with an electronic balance. The number of cigarettes formeasurement was three.

As indicated in the test results of FIG. 4, in comparison withComparative Example 1 with the single center hole as the powder supplypath, it has been found that Examples can each ensure a larger deliveryamount of the powder than that of Comparative Example 1, while none ofExamples is considerably different in powder spillage amount. Further,as compared with Comparative Example 2 with three independent powdersupply paths, none of Examples is significantly different in eitherdelivery amount of the powder or powder spillage amount. However,Comparative Example 2, which has the three independent powder supplypaths, requires the use of three mandrels for producing the mouthpiecefilter unit. Thus, it is supposed to be difficult to evenly fill spacesbetween the mandrels with the filter fiber. Therefore, as compared withComparative Example 2, Examples are excellent in being able to provide amouthpiece filter unit with stable quality.

Embodiment 2

Next, a cigarette 1A according to Embodiment 2 will be described. Here,the description will be made focusing on a difference from the cigarette1 according to Embodiment 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is aschematic configuration view of the cigarette 1A according to Embodiment2. Regarding the filter 4 of the cigarette 1A is provided with a vent(hereinafter, referred to as “upstream filter unit region vent”) 31Athat penetrates at a position, in the tipping paper 3 and the wrappingpaper 45, corresponding to the upstream filter unit 41.

Embodiment 3

Next, a cigarette 1B according to Embodiment 3 will be described. Here,the description will be made focusing on a difference from the cigarette1 according to Embodiment 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and thecigarette 1A according to Embodiment 2 illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 isa schematic configuration view of the cigarette 1B according toEmbodiment 3. The filter 4 of the cigarette 1B is provided with thecavity region vent 31 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the upstream filter unitregion vent 31A illustrated in FIG. 7 in the tipping paper 3.

The filter 4 of the cigarette 1B according to the present embodiment isprovided with the vents for intake of dilution air on both the cavity 43and the upstream filter unit 41. Thus, by adjusting a balance of airinflow through these vents, it is possible to change the delivery amountof the powder (for example, flavoring powder) formed by crushing thepowder content 44 without changing the Vf value of the filter 4 as awhole. This makes it possible to optimally design a gustatory (taste)strength provided by the flavoring powder while keeping a tar value ofthe cigarette 1B constant, for example.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been describedabove; however, a filter for a smoking article according to the presentinvention may be implemented by combining the embodiments as much aspossible.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1 . . . cigarette-   2 . . . tobacco rod-   3 . . . tipping paper-   4 . . . filter-   41 . . . upstream filter unit-   42 . . . mouthpiece filter unit-   43 . . . cavity-   44 . . . powder content-   45 . . . wrapping paper-   421 . . . powder supply path-   4210 . . . central connection portion-   4211 . . . hole

What is claimed is:
 1. A smoking article comprising: a tobacco rodincluding tobacco shreds; and a filter coupled to an end portion of thetobacco rod via a tipping paper, wherein the filter includes: a powdercontent that includes a lump of base powder including at least eitherone of a taste component or a flavoring component and is turned intopowder by application of an external force; a cavity where the powdercontent is accommodated; and a mouthpiece filter unit that is locatedcontinuously at a downstream side of the cavity, and is provided with apowder supply path formed along an axial direction for allowing amouthpiece end to communicate with the cavity and supplying the powderfrom the cavity to the mouthpiece end, and in a cross section of themouthpiece filter unit, the powder supply path has a central connectionportion located at a central side of the cross section of the mouthpiecefilter unit and a plurality of holes that extend in mutually differentdirections from the central connection portion toward an outerperipheral side of the cross section.
 2. The smoking article accordingto claim 1, wherein each of the holes of the powder supply path has arelatively large opening width at an outer peripheral region located atthe outer peripheral side of the cross section of the mouthpiece filterunit as compared with at a central region located at the central side ofthe cross section.
 3. The smoking article according to claim 1, whereinthe powder supply path has the holes that are at least three and notmore than five in number.
 4. The smoking article according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of holes of the powder supply path radially extendfrom the central connection portion.
 5. The smoking article according toclaim 1, wherein in the cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit, afilter fiber that provides the mouthpiece filter unit is interposedbetween a distal end of each of the holes of the powder supply path anda wrapping paper of the mouthpiece filter unit.
 6. A filter for asmoking article, the filter comprising: a powder content that includes alump of base powder including at least either one of a taste componentor a flavoring component and is turned into powder by application of anexternal force; a cavity where the powder content is accommodated; and amouthpiece filter unit that is located continuously at a downstream sideof the cavity, and is provided with a powder supply path formed along anaxial direction for allowing a mouthpiece end to communicate with thecavity and supplying the powder from the cavity to the mouthpiece end,and in a cross section of the mouthpiece filter unit, the powder supplypath has a central connection portion located at a central side of thecross section of the mouthpiece filter unit and a plurality of holesthat extend in mutually different directions from the central connectionportion toward an outer peripheral side of the cross section.